Process Introduction
Planning an asphalt paving project involves more than just laying down the asphalt itself. Asphalt installation encompasses a series of steps, including design, demolition, and preparation, collectively ensuring a durable and long-lasting pavement. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the nine steps that asphalt paving contractors follow to complete a successful installation.
Step 1: Design the Surface
Before any physical work begins, the project starts with surface design. Asphalt paving contractors like Bituminous Roadways employ advanced technologies such as GPS and AutoCAD software to survey and design project sites with remarkable precision, maintaining a design error of less than one inch throughout the entire area. This cutting-edge approach ensures that the final pavement conforms to the specified requirements and provides optimal functionality. GPS technology in asphalt paving has revolutionized the industry, streamlining the process, enhancing accuracy, and resulting in better-quality asphalt surfaces. You can refer to our blog for a more detailed exploration of how GPS technology transforms asphalt paving.
Step 2: Demolition
With the design phase completed, the next step is demolition. Any existing surface, whether asphalt pavement, concrete, or pavers, must be removed to create a clean slate for the new pavement. This is a critical phase, as the quality of the demolition work directly impacts the longevity and performance of the asphalt. In an environmentally conscious approach, Bituminous Roadways recycles old asphalt debris at their plants, reducing waste and contributing to sustainability efforts. We have an informative blog if you want to learn more about how an asphalt company can be sustainable.
Step 3: Grading
Grading is pivotal in ensuring that the finished pavement has proper water drainage. Adequate drainage is essential for preventing premature deterioration of the asphalt surface. The percentage grade required for a project can vary based on location, landscape, and other factors. Proper grading helps water flow away from the surface, protecting the pavement from water-related damage.
Step 4: Getting Ready and Installing the Sub-Base
Though often hidden, the sub-base is critical to any asphalt pavement installation. It serves several vital functions, including protecting against frost heave caused by freeze-thaw cycles, providing stability to support traffic loads, and enhancing the pavement’s long-term durability. Bituminous Roadways prepares the aggregate sub-base using crushed rocks or recycled asphalt or concrete from previous projects, tailoring the preparation to meet specific project requirements and projected traffic loads. This step lays the foundation for a robust and long-lasting asphalt pavement.
Step 5: Butt Joints, Transitions, and Curbing
Many asphalt pavement installations connect new roadways, parking lots, or driveways to existing structures, including curbs and sidewalks. Asphalt contractors must pay close attention to butt joints and perform any necessary sidewalk and curb repairs to ensure a seamless transition between new pavement and existing structures. Creating smooth, unnoticeable butt joints is essential to ensure users’ safe driving or walking experience. Proper grading is also crucial in efficient water drainage, preventing water-related damage.
Step 6: Installing the Base Course
The base course, composed of aggregates and binders, sits atop the compacted sub-base or subgrade, depending on the project’s requirements. Once the material is spread, it is compacted to provide additional strength and stability to support the asphalt pavement laid on top of it. Step
7: Installing the Wear Course
also known as the surface course, is the topmost layer of asphalt pavement that faces traffic loads and environmental wear and tear. Composed of small aggregates, sand, and liquid asphalt (the binder), the wear course is the visible layer that makes up the roadways and parking lots.
Step 8: Compaction
Compaction is a crucial step that follows asphalt installation. It is essential for securely joining the asphalt-coated aggregates, ensuring the pavement achieves the necessary stability to resist deformation over time. Additionally, compaction eliminates any small chunks of aggregate that may protrude through the surface, enhancing the pavement’s long-term durability by reducing permeability.
Step 9: Striping and ADA Compliance
In the final step, necessary road surface markings and features are added. For roadways, this includes road surface markings and rumble strips as needed for safety. In the case of parking lots, parking stripes and accessibility markings are applied following the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements to ensure accessibility and safety for all users.
Bituminous Roadways: Your Trusted Asphalt Pavement Contractors
Bituminous Roadways in Mendota Heights, MN, is the leading choice for premium asphalt paving services. With multiple asphalt plants throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, Bituminous Roadways, has proudly served the community for over 75 years. Our commitment to excellence, sustainable practices, and cutting-edge technology ensures that your asphalt pavement project is in the best hands.
Conclusion
Asphalt pavement installation is a multifaceted process that requires careful planning and execution. This guide outlines the nine steps to create a durable and long-lasting asphalt surface. From meticulous design and environmentally conscious demolition to proper grading, sub-base preparation, and surface installation, every phase contributes to the quality and longevity of the pavement. Bituminous Roadways’ dedication to innovation and sustainability sets them apart as the go-to asphalt paving contractors in the Twin Cities area. With a history of serving the community for over seven decades, Bituminous Roadways continues to deliver top-notch asphalt solutions for all your paving needs. Get in touch with us today through our Contact Us page and let’s connect!
FAQS
Is paving the same as concrete?
Paving and concrete are related but different. Concrete is a specific material composed of cement, sand, and aggregate, whereas paving encompasses the broader process of creating durable surfaces using materials like concrete, asphalt, or pavers. Concrete is one of the materials used in paving, but they are not synonymous.
What is pavement made of?
Pavement materials vary, but the most common types include asphalt and concrete. Asphalt pavement is a blend of aggregates like gravel and sand bound together with a binder. In contrast, concrete pavement primarily comprises cement, aggregates, and water. These materials form robust and reliable surfaces for roads, driveways, and sidewalks, serving as the foundation for our transportation and infrastructure networks.
What is a pavement in construction?
In construction, pavement refers to a durable surface designed to support traffic, whether vehicles or pedestrians. These surfaces, commonly made from asphalt, concrete, or pavers, are crucial for constructing roads, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and other areas where people and vehicles travel. Pavements provide stability and safety within built environments.
What is paving mixture?
A paving mixture, often known as asphalt or asphalt concrete, consists of aggregates (like crushed stone, sand, or gravel) and an asphalt cement binder. It’s used to construct roads, driveways, and various paved surfaces, forming a durable, weather-resistant, smooth foundation capable of supporting heavy vehicle traffic.